LMAFB Flyover to Feature Air Force F35

Fans attending this year’s Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will have an exclusive look at the new Lockheed Martin F-35As during the pre-game flyover. The Air Force version of the jets will perform a fourship formation flyover flown by pilots from the 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

This is only the second time a flyover of F-35’s will have occurred at a sporting event, the first being this past year’s NFL Pro Bowl in Phoenix. This years Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will be played on December 29, 2015, and will kick off at 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET) from Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus of TCU and will be aired by ESPN.

“A Luke AFB F-35 jet flyover is a perfect complement to a bowl game celebrating the men and women of our nation’s armed forces,” said Brant Ringler, Executive Director of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. “We couldn’t be more proud to begin our game with this historic tradition.”

These F-35s are from the 61sth Fighter Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. Michael “Drifter” Gette. The squadron is part of the United States Air Force’s largest fighter wing, the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, commanded by Brigadier Gen Scott Pleus.

The 61st Fighter Squadron not only houses the Air Force’s illustrious F-35 Lightning II, but is also home to international partners Australia, Italy and Norway. The jets at Luke are used to train pilots who will fly the jets defending freedom around the world.

The new F-35 model delivers unrivaled fifth-generation stealth technology that can be employed against enemy aircraft with a one/two-punch of air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. It also has the capability to counter all known air defense systems.

The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl has featured the “armed forces” theme since 2006. Patriotic overtones recognizing all of the services are prevalent throughout the game. Past Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowls have included fan-fest adventure areas showcasing armed forces personnel and equipment; flyovers; demonstrations by several of the military's top skydiving teams; custom homes awarded to wounded warriors; on-field induction ceremonies; armed forces bands and honor guards; and the Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America.